Former Titans head coach Mike Munchak 'an asset' to Denver Broncos staff

Few players remain with Tennessee from Hall of Famer's time in charge

Things move quickly in the NFL. So quickly, in fact, that only four players on the current Tennessee Titans roster remain from Mike Munchak’s time as head coach.

And it has been only four-plus seasons since Munchak’s three-year run as Jeff Fisher’s replacement ended.

Sunday’s game against the Broncos in Denver, therefore, won’t exactly have the feel of a reunion. Only defensive end Jurrell Casey, tight end Delanie Walker, punter Brett Kern and long snapper Beau Brinkley were with the Titans from 2011-13 and of those four, Casey was the only one drafted under Munchak’s watch (hear the Pro Bowlers thoughts on facing his former coach in the above video).

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This season is Munchak’s first as Denver’s offensive line coach, a position he accepted during the offseason – after he interviewed to be head coach. That job that ultimately went to Vic Fangio, who is grateful to have the Pro Football Hall of Famer to his staff.

“That’s just who Mike is as a person,” Fangio said Wednesday. “He’s a team player all the way and he wasn’t going to let that be a deciding factor in him not coming out here.

“Mike and I grew up about two miles apart and played against each other in high school. That’s one of the best things that’s happened in this job. I really didn’t know Mike that well and we’ve gotten to know each other well. Now I can say I don’t just know Mike, he’s a friend of mine. And I’ve leaned on him for some decisions with the team and asked him what he thinks. He’s been a tremendous asset.”

The Titans went 22-26 with no playoff appearances in the three seasons under Munchak. They were 9-7 in his first campaign and the slipped to 6-10 and 7-9 in his final two years, respectively. He was promoted after 14 years as Tennessee’s offensive line coach.

When he left, he went to Pittsburgh (close to where he grew up) and spent four seasons as the Steelers’ offensive coach.

“Mike, I think, is – if not the best – one of the best offensive line coaches in ball,” Fangio said “And I think he would be a great O-line coach even if he had never played the game but his Hall of Fame career just adds to it with his experiences and the way he can talk to the players.”